THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 17 August 2011, Wednesday

Humble Riches Breaks Mark, Bagatsing Cup

A sharp filly looking to be the valedictorian of this season’s juvenile class made good grades last weekend when she broke the record for the 1,200 meters.

Humble Riches won the third leg of the Philippine Racing Commission Juvenile Stakes last Saturday at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park coming from off-the-pace. She was sent off as the outstanding favorite based on her speedy win in the second leg.

Under the guidance of jockey Val Dilema, Humble Riches posted splits of 24.2-22-25.2 for a total time of 1:11.6. This breaks the record of 1:11.8 set just last August 9 by Cheese Mosa also at Santa Ana Park in a condition race. The previous record was Miss Elliot’s 1:12 set in 2010.

Humble Riches came in six lengths ahead of second placer Alpha Alleanza, followed by Pure Grace and Going West in third and fourth.

Again, as in the second leg, Humble Riches did better than the boys. Sky Serpent, winner of the counterpart Juvenile Colts Stakes last Sunday, notched splits of 24.2-23.6-26.4 under jockey Esteban de Vera for a total 1:14.2 also over 1,200 meters din.

Sky Serpent, owned by Dos Ranchos Jofero, was fifth out of the gate yet still won by half-a-length over Stolen Time, who came in second. Petronas was third, Bechot fourth.

Watch for the 4th legs of the series on September 17 and 18 at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park.

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A group of horseowners expressed concern over the ban imposed by the Manila Jockey Club recently on fellow horseowner Demi Ching and Pipoy Silva, the jockey who rode his horse Ho Ho Ho at San Lazaro Leisure Park a couple of weeks ago. The horse was the top choice in the race and lost.

This is the first time I have ever heard of a horseowner being banned for this reason from any racing club’s premises.

This is the first time I have heard of a jockey being banned without having received a suspension or other penalty after the race, leading to questions on the part of various racing sectors on the propriety of the ban.

It is the right of any racing club to ban from their premises anyone for any reason – whether this be the cut of his clothes, his behavior, or the look of his face. The racetrack is their property after all.

However, the incident that concerns Ching and Silva occurred in the context of a race. While a racing club may have its own racing rules and regulations, there are also rules and regulations that govern the sport of horseracing.

Why was there no investigation or suspension into Silva’s case? Why was a ban imposed right away after the horse’s loss, like a knee-jerk reaction?

I’m just asking.

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Meanwhile, fans are looking forward to the 3rd incarnation of the Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Memorial Racing Festival to be held on the late mayor’s birthdate of August 19 at San Lazaro Leisure Park. The first two episodes were held at Santa Ana Park. The debut event in 2009 was held over an entire week and was a top-grosser in terms of betting handle.

The event also revives, as two halves of the Bagatsing Cup, the Division I and Division II races of the Gran Copa de Manila, which were held at MJC’s now-defunct San Lazaro Hippodrome in Sta. Cruz during the Araw ng Maynila festivities. The event also will feature 7 trophy/special races.

The racefest blends both traditional and novelty as it, over the years, evolves into an annual tradition in its own right, thanks to the Bagatsing family’s dedication and perseverance.

THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 10 August 2011, Wednesday

Gentle Irony, Best Import?

Two Australian imports belonging to the same stable copped the first two places in the Philippine Racing Commission Peridot Stakes held last Sunday (August 7) at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park.

Coupled entries Gentle Irony and Juggling Act were sent off as the favorites in the tough 1,900-meter race dubbed the 4th leg of the Imported/Local Challenge series.

With star jockey Jesse Guce aboard, , Gentle Irony came from behind to reach the wire ahead of his Fernando Raquel Jr.-ridden stable mate Juggling Act. Both are owned by longtime horseowner Atty. Narciso Morales and trained by Nelson Lorica.

Multiply placed third , Batang Tundo fourth. Quarters for the race were 6’-23’-26’-24’26, for a total time of 1:58.8.

A group of horseowners discussing industry issues the other night opined that Gentle Irony and Juggling Act are perhaps the best imports on the track this season. They’d be pretty hard to beat in any race they’re in. And it’s all to the good for the owner to have both these hot properties on his team.

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These gentlemen also talked about the good performance put on by superfilly Tensile Strength in a condition race for mixed 3YO that same day. Steered by Jeffril Zarate, the Felizardo Sevilla Jr.-owned Tensile Strength soundly beat the favorite, bay colt Magna Carta. It’s no fluke, because the exact same thing happened in the third leg of the Triple Crown last July.

In other racing news, local turfdom played host to visitors from abroad who came over to observe and share information.

Last July 24-25, Philracom took around four officials and a veterinarian from the Korean Racing Authority. They were the guests of honor at SLLP for the Philippines-Korea Friendship Race and the KRA Trophy Race.

Last August 1-2, C. Mano and Greg Manley of Hygain Feeds in Singapore paid a visit, along with Peter Lord and veterinarian Dr. Ross Teitzel.

Mano, Greg, and Peter – who’ve been here before – gave a seminar on equine health and nutrition under the sponsorship of Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos. In attendance at the Manila Polo Club were racehorse owners and riders and enthusiasts from the equestrian circuit. Dr. Ross was here to attend to some clients’ horses at the Batangas thoroughbred ranches. ***

THE HOARSE WHISPERER By Jenny Ortuoste for Manila Standard-Today, 16 March 2011, Wednesday

Yes Pogi, Magna Carta Rule Weekend Races

Philippine Sportswriters’ Association 2010 Horse of the Year Yes Pogi trounced nine other foes to dominate the Philippine Racing Commission’s Commissioner’s Cup last Saturday at San Lazaro Leisure Park.

Sent off as the heavy favorite, the two-leg Triple Crown winner owned by Francis Lim unleashed his patented rally charge in the final stages of the race under the reinsmanship of regular rider Manolito Daquis to win by six lengths over spent second placer Righthererightnow. Wellwellwell was third and Thoti’s Best fourth.

The total time for the arduous 1,900-meter race was 2:02.

Yes Pogi’s impressive performance adds luster to his string of victories, which includes the 2010 Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Presidential Gold Cup. Sired by Herma Farms and Stud in Lipa, Batangas, Yes Pogi is a stellar example of the the class and quality of Philippine-bred champions.

Present at the awarding ceremony was race honoree Governor Gerry Espina of Biliran, who was a former Philracom commissioner.

In Sunday’s Philracom Chairman’s Cup, island-born star Magna Carta clocked 1:34.4 to win the 1,500-meter race, part of the “Road to the Triple Crown” tuneup races for elite 3YO. 2010 MARHO Cup Juvenile Colts champion Barkley came in a length behind to grab second place. Bosbarawana placed third and Arvindugo fourth.

The Michael Dragon T. Javier-owned Magna Carta came off a victory in the PCSO Freedom Cup last February 27, also at SLLP. The speedy colt was steered both times by PSA 2010 Jockey of the Year Jesse Guce.

This year’s Chairman’s Cup was held in honor of the late former Philracom chairman Nicanor Jacinto. Sadly, no family representative was on hand for the awarding ceremony as the racing world has lost contact with his family.

*****

PCSO’s Carlos Castillo, OIC-manager of the Draw and Races department, recently announced the names of the horses running in the March 27 PCSO Special Maiden Race to be held at SLLP. The trial race shall be held on March 15.

Congress’ Games and Amusements Committee approved last Monday House Bill 224 authored by congressmen Amado Bagatsing (5th district Manila) and Jeci Aquino Lapus (3rd district Tarlac).

The bill shall create the Philippine Thoroughbred Horseracing Authority, which will take on all the functions and responsibilities of Philracom, as well as its present personnel and so forth. The law shall change the corporate nature of Philracom to make it more flexible and responsive to external and internal challenges.

The bill, having garnered the support of the industry, shall now be sent to the floor. It was last deliberated upon and also approved in 2009, during the 14th Congress. Let us hope that this time around it’ll go all the way into enactment. ***

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